Musical Theatre West Announces Principal Cast of CATS 2/11-27

Musical Theatre West is proud to announce its upcoming production of CATS at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. CATS previews February 11 and runs February 12 through February 27, 2011. Dana Solimando directs and choreographs Musical Theatre West's production of CATS with musical direction by Dennis Castellano.

The cast of the MTW production of CATS includes: Clent Bowers (Broadway : Big, Cats, The Wiz) as Old Deuteronomy, Joseph Corella (Broadway: All Shook Up, Grease, Regional: West Side Story) as Mr. Mistoffolees, Laura Griffith (Broadway: The Light in the Piazza, South Pacific, Sweet Smell of Success, Regional: Candide, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) as Jellylorum/Griddlebone, Danny Gurwin (Broadway: Little Women, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Full Monty, Urinetown, Regional: MTW's Little Shop of Horrors) as Rum Tum Tugger, Eddie Korbich (Broadway: The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Carousel, Wicked, Seussical) as Gus/Growltiger, Terra C. MacLeod (Broadway: Chicago, Regional: MTW's The Pajama Game, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Producers) as Bombularina, Robert Pieranunzi (Regional: MTW's Meet Me in St. Louis, The Pajama Game, Guys and Dolls) as Munkustrap and Kelli Provart (Broadway: Aida, Regional: Ring of Fire) as Grizabella.

Based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," CATS is set at the annual reunion of the Jellicle cats at the Jellicle Ball. The eldest of this special breed, Old Deuteronomy, seeks to select which of the many cats in the neighborhood will be reborn to begin another life. Potential candidates named Jennyanydots, Rum Tum Tugger and Bustopher Jones plead their case. Ultimately, it is Grizabella and her plea for a new life that wins the old cat over. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song "Memory."

The original production opened at the New London Theatre in the West End on May 11, 1981. CATS opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on October 7, 1982 and continued to live up to its motto of playing "Now and Forever," running until its closing in September, 2000. On June 19, 1997 the show became the longest-running musical on Broadway.

CATS, which is based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by T.S. Elliot, Trevor Nunn, and Richard Stilgoe. MTW's staging coincides with the show's 30th anniversary.

The performance schedule for CATS is Thursdays and through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., with a 7 p.m. performance added on February 20th. Tickets start at $30, with last-row seating available at an additional discount. There is a $3 service charge per ticket. Prices are subject to change without notice. Group rates are available for 15 or more. Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815.

Tickets for CATS are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.musical.org or by phone at 562-856-1999 x4. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Musical Theatre West Box Office located at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CATS is the second show of Musical Theatre West's 2010-2011 Season and is made possible through the generous contributions of Associate Producers Jon and Amanda Hall and the Friends of Don Garman. Youth Outreach performances for CATS are made possible through the generous contributions of Sheldon and Shell Whitney Grossman and Larry and Shari Nemirow.

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